TULSA, Okla. — Despite having never competed in the Tulsa Shootout, two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch put together an impressive performance during his non-winged outlaw heat Wednesday.
Busch started eighth and roared to the front of the field to win the eight-lap race, beating polesitter Kyle Gray in a photo finish. The performance guaranteed Busch a spot in one of the six qualifying races that help set the feature lineup for Saturday’s finale.
At the Tulsa Shootout, much like the Chili Bowl, drivers advance to qualifiers based on passing points. Busch’s eighth-to-first run netted him 135 points and left him ranked third overall behind only Kyle Jones and reigning Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series champion Blake Hahn.
“That was not surprising, but a little bit,” Busch said. “I expected to at least get maybe three or four of them and just have a good showing. But man, they left the top open and I took it. I watched my boy (son Brexton) yesterday in practice and he was ripping the high side, so I said, ‘Alright boy, I’ll do it too. Let’s see what it’s got.’”
Busch is competing in four divisions during the Tulsa Shootout in a second entry fielded by veteran Joe B. Miller. While he enjoyed a strong run in Non-Wing Outlaw, his performances in winged outlaw and A class weren’t quite as stellar.
He finished third in his winged outlaw heat after starting fifth, but in his A class heat he finished seventh after starting fifth. After his frustrating run in the A class division, Busch took to Twitter and lamented just how challenging the Tulsa Shootout can be.
“Had to happen soon enough. Just got my ass kicked,” said Busch.
His third-place finish in his winged outlaw heat was enough to earn Busch a spot in a qualifier in that division as well.
Busch will be back in action Thursday for his final heat race of the week in stock non-winged. His son, 6-year-old Brexton Busch, will also be in action in the junior sprint category.